Shropshire escapes worst of norovirus outbreak
Shropshire has escaped the worst of a winter vomiting bug outbreak which has struck down thousands of people in the UK, health bosses said today.
Since July, the Health Protection Agency has confirmed 1,975 cases of the highly-contagious norovirus in England and Wales - 52 per cent up on the number of cases for last year, when 1,301 were recorded.
In Shropshire health officials have only recorded a handful of cases so far this year.
There have been 53 outbreaks of the bug at NHS trusts across the country, with 45 hospitals being forced to close off wards.
A spokesman for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust confirmed today there were no wards closed due to norovirus at either the Princess Royal Hospital or the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
He added that there had been 35 confirmed cases of norovirus, whose symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps, in the county so far in 2012-13.
The HPA said there had been nine suspected or confirmed outbreaks of the bug, in which two or more cases are linked, in Shropshire since July, in comparison with 63 between July last year and the end of June. Four of the potential outbreaks have been identified in the past two weeks.
Dr Patricia O'Neill, consultant microbiologist and director for infection prevention and control at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: "We know that sometimes visitors feel they must take every opportunity to visit sick friends or relatives.
"However, if they themselves have been unwell, they could be putting others at risk. If you're unsure whether to visit, please feel free to contact the ward nurse before you come into hospital."
If you are worried about prolonged symptoms, you can contact NHS Direct on www.nhs.uk, or 0845 4647, or ring your GP.
